| This 1959 movie was rescued just in the nick of time. If you are a fan or collector of Pan American World Airways items, this movie needs to be in your collection. This is a very interesting look at the behind the scenes activities on a Boeing 707 flight from Idyllwild airport to Paris.
We follow the arrival of the pilot and maintenance chief as they prepare jet clipper N709PA as flight 116.
On December 8, 1963 this aircraft was in a holding pattern awaiting an instrument approach to the Philadelphia International Airport when it was struck by lightning. Immediately thereafter, the aircraft was observed to be on fire. A large portion of the left wing separated in flight and the aircraft crashed in flames approximately ten nautical miles southwest of the New Castle, Delaware VOR. All persons aboard, 73 passengers and eight crew members, perished in the crash and the aircraft was destroyed.
Read the original accident report (PDF).
We see the Pan Am training classes and students studying the latest technology. We learn that for every hour in the air the aircraft spend, 25 man hours on the ground as spent checking the aircraft out. You will see how ground crews and flight crews are organized and scheduled.
Flight 116 has to be checked out and takeoff for Paris in three hours and we follow the process as the 707 is made ready. It is interesting to see how the planes were inspected prior to flight and then taxied into position at the gate.
Captain Don Michaels prepares for the flight to Paris. He reviews the weather and then sits down with the entire flight crew and tests them on procedures. We get to meet the stewardess, navigator, flight engineer and copilot.
We get to see the ticket counter, front-end and luggage operations. Here is where we meet the family we will follow on their first Pan American jet flight.
Jet clipper N709PA, N710PA, N711PA and Clipper Tradewind are featured in the film. You will see unusual shots from the cockpit while taxing and during takeoff.
The food on the flight is delivered to the plane in a truck with a sign that says “Clipper Cuisine by Maxim’s of Paris.” The menu includes pheasant, roast beef, lobster and champagne
Passengers walk out to the plane and then up the mobile stairs to board the plane. Friends and family come out on the tarmac to wave goodbye while the cockpit crew completes the checklist.
The cabin door to the cabin is closed and four minutes latter they are in the air. Nice exterior shots of the 707 taxing by. As the plane becomes airborne you get to see an aerial view of Idyllwild airport.
The steward prepares a feast fit for a king and passengers toast each other with champagne.
A very nice film on the overview of the Boeing 707, jet travel in the late 1950s and Pan American World Airways operations.
Runtime: 28 minutes.
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"Excellent Pan-Am 707 archive footage - fast international delivery - Perfect A+" | 
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